Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if Food Harvest 2020 is his policy; and, if so, the reason there was no strategic environmental assessment in view of the fact that it is legally required under Directive 2001/42/EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23398/12]

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Food Harvest 2020 report was developed by an industry-led committee which comprised key figures from the food and drink industry, state agencies, academia and the farm bodies. The report, which was published in July 2010, contains the industry vision for the sector and sets ambitious targets for expansion in the decade to 2020. It contains 215 recommendations aimed at achieving sustainable growth, increased efficiency, higher productivity and competitiveness.

Following publication of the report, a high level implementation committee, HLIC, was established by the previous Minister to ensure integration and focus between industry and State agencies in meeting the targets. Activation groups for each of the dairy, beef and horticulture sectors report to the HLIC on progress in this regard. The Minister wholeheartedly embraces the Food Harvest 2020 strategy and, as chair of the HLIC, is totally committed to ensuring its success.

The report is not a plan or programme as defined in Article 2 of Directive 2001/42/EC rather an industry-developed strategy which sets out its vision for the future of the sector. The report contained a recommendation that a strategic environmental assessment should be carried out. In considering how best to implement this recommendation, the HLIC recognised that the targets could be achieved in a variety of ways. Accordingly the committee determined that an environmental analysis of various scenarios related to the implementation of the recommendations in Food Harvest 2020 was the most appropriate analytical approach to an environmental assessment.

Following a competitive tender process, which was published on e-tenders, a contract was last month awarded to a team of consultants to carry out this analysis. Under the terms of the contract, an interim report is to be prepared by the end of July with the final report to be presented to the HLIC by end of October 2012. Under the terms of reference, the likely impacts of achieving the report's targets on the following environmental characteristics-issues will be assessed - biodiversity; flora-fauna; water, including groundwater quality; soil; air quality; landscape; and climatic factors, including impacts on greenhouse gas emission levels. The outcome of this analysis will inform the sectoral expansion envisaged under Food Harvest 2020, and guide its achievement in a manner which takes account of the associated environmental implications.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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A strategic environmental assessment is required under the EU directive. A high level of consultation with environmental groups and the public is required. Was that part of the terms of reference given to the people awarded the tender or are we aiming at something below that? We all recognise the increasing importance of the food industry and the agriculture sector as one of the areas with potential for serious growth. We want to ensure the image we have is retained. The strategic environmental assessment gives a kind of added assurance that the industry is compatible with the environmental standards against which we would be measured in regard to this particular initiative. Will environmental groups and the public be included in this process?

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Food Harvest 2020 is a massive goal to achieve but the opening is there for us as a country. Since we joined the EU, Ireland has implemented the highest standards, whether in regard to traceability or the environment, and I have no doubt that will continue. One cannot just go into farming and set up a dairy or beef herd or a sow unit. We comply with the highest standards in the world and that is why people from other countries come to Ireland on a weekly basis not only to buy our products but to see the measures we implement, so that they can produce food for themselves. We can feed an additional 35 million if we go into full production. I cannot emphasise enough how large this industry can grow.

Working with the best people in the environmental area and with groups will be part of it. Sometimes there can be too many restrictions but there are rules and regulations in place, which Deputy Murphy will know coming from County Kildare. We have the best in the world due to environmental rules. Sometimes, one can overdo rules and put people off getting involved. To achieve growth, our goal is to get various Departments working together instead of separately. My work involves forestry, which covers three Departments. We must pull them together with my role acting as overseer. The role of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is to work with, for example, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure growth and jobs, the benefits of which will spread from rural Ireland to colleges and beyond. This is our hope. There are many matters we can overdo, but this is one with which we will not take chances.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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I asked whether consultation with environmental groups and the public would form part of the upcoming process. It is specified by the EU when conducting strategic and environmental assessments. We should not fear an open approach. For this reason, the public should be included. Are the successful tenderers required to consult environmental groups and the public while constructing the scheme?

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I will revert to the Deputy concerning the exact procedure. I do not doubt that the proper procedures were followed and that everyone involved was included in the scenario. For example, everyone was given an opportunity to have an input into Food Harvest 2020.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State.